Arnold, CA…On July 12, 2025, the Calaveras County Volunteer Team conducted its monthly training session near Spicer’s Reservoir. At approximately 1:20 PM, the Calaveras County Dispatch Center received a report regarding two individuals traveling to the area who were overdue and not answering their cellular phones. The reporting person stated that on July 11th, at about 1:30 PM, the missing persons, a 49-year-old mother and her nine-year-old son, left the Sacramento area headed to Camp Wolfeboro, located in the upper Highway 4 area. A deputy was dispatched to initiate a missing person investigation, and the Search and Rescue Team was deployed to begin search efforts.

The deputy contacted the Sacramento area agency and the reporting party to establish a timeline and determine the possible route the missing person was taking. The reporting party also provided a location obtained from a location-sharing application they previously used with the missing person.

The Search and Rescue Team responded from their training location and established a command post near Highway 4 and the Black Springs OHV Recreational Area. The team began assessing the terrain and the complex network of interconnecting, labyrinth-like roads to establish effective search parameters. This allowed them to quickly initiate a road-based search using four-wheel-drive vehicles and a specially equipped side-by-side UTV. California Highway air assets were also requested to assist with the search efforts.

While conducting their search, a Deputy and a Forest Service Law Enforcement Ranger responded to a 911 text from campers in the area between Black Springs and Winton Road, who reported observing a vehicle matching the description of the missing persons around 4:00 PM on July 11. This information, along with data provided by the reporting party, confirmed that the teams were searching in the correct area.

At approximately 5:40 PM, a Search and Rescue team located a handwritten note posted at an intersection of a remote Forest Service Road. The note indicated that the author and her son were stranded and in need of assistance. The team followed the road and found another note, which provided additional information, including a telephone number and the names of the missing individuals. About a mile later, the searchers located the missing persons and their vehicle.

Due to the isolated location, which included dense forest and canopy, the search and rescue members were unable to communicate their discovery to the command post via conventional radio frequencies or cell phone. They utilized an amateur radio frequency, commonly known as HAM radio, to establish communication. After broadcasting “emergency traffic” on the HAM radio, their call was immediately answered by a retired El Dorado County Communications Supervisor who was a HAM Operator monitoring frequencies from his home.

This HAM operator then contacted the El Dorado 911 center, which provided the information to Calaveras Dispatch, and the SAR command post was notified.

The Search Team was able to use vehicle recovery equipment to free the vehicle and assisted them back to the command post and to their awaiting family members.

Once back at the command post, the search managers and team members were able to piece together the circumstances that led to the missing persons becoming lost, as well as the actions they took to assist in the search efforts. In summary, the driver was using a GPS unit that supplemented common routes with additional remote roads. When the GPS signal was lost, the missing persons had already traveled deep into the remote area and were unable to retrace their route.

The missing person posted the notes at intersections near their location and used the vehicle’s hazard lights at night to enhance the likelihood of being found. The nine-year-old even used his whistle to periodically deploy three short bursts, an international signal for help. Of importance in the successful outcome was their pre-trip notification of telling someone where they were going and when to expect them back.

The Calaveras County Volunteer Search and Rescue Team accepts applications for membership on a continual basis. Persons of all skill levels should contact Lt. Stark at 209-754-6783 or visit calaverassar.org for more information.